In the first half of 2025, Australians reported over 108,000 incidents of scams, leading to financial losses totaling approximately $175 million to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service. Notably, methods employed by scammers included fake websites, misleading online advertisements, and outreach through social media platforms.
Despite the total number of scam reports showing a 24% decline compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, the incidents that involved financial losses surged significantly. The reported losses of nearly $175 million indicated a substantial 26% increase from the first half of 2024, with the number of complaints involving financial loss rising by 40.5%. Certain demographic groups felt the impact more profoundly; particularly, there was a 44% increase in reports among individuals whose primary language is not English, while First Nations Australians experienced a 55.3% rise compared to the previous year.
Even though the reported losses are considerable, they still represent a 39% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, when financial losses were at their peak. The average loss reported during this period was $12,212, showing a slight reduction of about 10%.
Among the various types of scams, phishing scams accounted for substantial losses totaling $19.5 million, fueled by a notable increase in cryptocurrency impersonation scams. There were 14,235 reports regarding financial losses attributed to these crypto scams, which often mirror bank impersonation tactics and have caused considerable financial damage to victims.
The National Anti-Scam Centre has urged consumers to exercise heightened caution while shopping online. They recommend being vigilant about deals that seem overly beneficial and advises thorough verification of websites prior to making any purchases.
In particular, Scamwatch noted over 6,300 reports of financial loss due to shopping scams in the first half of 2025, which constituted the highest number reported for any scam category. This data indicates that scammers are successfully creating convincing online shopping platforms, showcasing fraudulent products, and enticing consumers with seemingly irresistible offers.
As the landscape of online scams evolves, it becomes increasingly vital for individuals to remain alert and take preventive measures against becoming victims of these fraudulent schemes. By staying informed and exercising caution, consumers can better protect themselves against scams that take advantage of trust and the allure of unbeatable deals.